Delivery ramp with an adjustable, rotatable pivot

ABSTRACT

A truck ramp including a first ramp element, second ramp element and pivoting structure located between the first and second ramp elements. The first ramp element is coupled to the truck at one end and at the other end, a hinge. The second ramp element is hinged at one end and at the other end interfaces with the ground or other surface. Between the first and second ramp elements is a pivoting structure comprised of a first component that is mechanically coupled to the first ramp element at the first hinged end and a second component that is mechanically coupled to the second ramp element at the hinged end. The first component and the second component are rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the first and second ramp element hinges.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments described herein relate generally to bothnon-permanently installed loading ramps to be used with all size trucksor any hauling equipment as well as loading ramps that are permanentlymounted on a vehicle or other structure. The embodiments describedherein include ramps that are used for conveying material betweendisassociated bases at various distances and are mounted under theloading floor of a vehicle or other structure.

BACKGROUND

Truck delivery ramps are an essential element to any logisticsdepartment of any company that produces a physical product. Truckdelivery ramps are also critical to the operations of delivery serviceand moving companies. The process of loading and unloading product fromtrucks plays a crucial role in delivery efficiency and employee safety.During the course of a delivery, a driver, using a typical truckdelivery ramp, will park on the street and unload the truck, typicallyfrom the rear. Generally a ramp will be utilized to traverse the truckbed height and the ground. The ramp will be placed, at one end, on thebed of the truck and, at the other end, on the ground. Conventionaltruck delivery ramps are straight sections enabling the user to unloadcargo directly out the back of the truck. A problem arises when thetruck parks along the street and a curb or other obstruction is present.Currently, unloading or loading a truck either involves unsafely anglingthe ramp to traverse the curb, or having to carry the cargo a greatdistance until a crosswalk or driveway arises. Traversing the curb byangling a delivery ramp presents serious safety issues for the personloading or unloading the truck. A ramp that is designed to be used in asubstantially rear-facing unloading capacity will not adequately ensuresafety for the user when adjusted or angled laterally. Occupationalhealth hazards aside, there are other practical issues that arise fromthis particular misuse of ramps including accelerated equipment wear andtear, traffic obstructions and product damage.

Further, the use of conventional straight ramps can be inefficient. Thisinefficiency is primarily caused by lengthened loading and unloadingtimes. Loading and unloading time becomes a meaningful factor in abusiness's logistics and is often incorporated into the productioncycle. It is therefore of appreciable interest to many businesses tokeep loading and unloading time as minimal as possible. Conventionaltruck ramps lack versatility and when less than ideal loading orunloading conditions arise, this low versatility can require substantialtime resources to overcome. For instance, if a truck pulls up to itsdestination along a curbed road the truck drivers have to spend timecreating a safe and manageable alternative unloading path in order todeliver the product. The alternative path taken is inevitably longer ortakes more time than unloading the truck directly. For a business thatutilizes truck delivery or pick-up, this lost time is a predictabledrain on that business's efficiency.

Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for a truck ramp that cansafely traverse curbs and other varying terrain not directly rear of thetruck and thereby increasing efficiency, reducing wear and tear, andreducing traffic obstructions and product damage.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments, an improved truck ramp enables a vast increasein ramp maneuverability while improving safety, efficiency and limitingtraffic obstructions. By incorporating a pivot component into the ramp,the ramp facilitates loading and unloading at curbs, small unloadingspaces, varied terrain, and other difficult loading and unloadingscenarios.

In an embodiment, a device for use with a truck includes a pivotingstructure. The pivoting structure has a stationary segment having afirst end configured to be mechanically coupled to the truck, and arotation segment mechanically coupled to the stationary segment at asecond end of the stationary segment and rotatable about each thestationary segment at a first axis. A ramp having a coupler couples thefirst end of the ramp and the rotation segment, the coupler having asecond axis of rotation that is substantially orthogonal to the firstaxis.

In other embodiments, multiple ramp segments can be used. For example,in an embodiment, a device that includes a ramp for use with a truckcomprises a first ramp element having a first coupler arranged at afirst end of the first ramp element wherein the first coupler isconfigured to be coupleable to the truck. A hinge can be arranged at asecond end of the first ramp element, wherein the second end is oppositethe first ramp element from the first end, the hinge having a first axisof rotation. A second ramp element includes a third coupler arranged ata first end of the second ramp element, the third coupler having asecond axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the first axisof rotation. A second end of the second ramp element is opposite thefirst end of the second ramp element and is configured to be supportedby adjacent surface. The device further includes a pivoting structurehaving a stationary segment mechanically coupled to the first rampelement at the hinge, and a rotation segment mechanically coupled to thesecond ramp element at the third coupler. The stationary segment and therotation segment are rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the firstaxis.

In embodiments, the ramp and pivoting structures can be operably coupledto a truck to remedy the aforementioned deficiencies of conventionaltruck ramp systems.

The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe eachillustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention.The detailed description and claims that follow more particularlyexemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pivoting ramp, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a pivoting ramp, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the pivoting section of a pivoting rampwith the upper symmetric disk removed, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the pivoting section of a pivotingramp, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the pivoting section of a pivotingramp with an included bearing race feature, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative pivoting ramp, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative pivoting ramp in arotated position, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the pivoting section locking mechanismwith lower symmetric disk removed, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the pivoting section lockingmechanism, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the pivoting section ground supportstructure, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the accordion type pivoting section,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a peg and slot style pivoting section,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the pivoting structure, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of the pivoting structure, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of the locking mechanism, according toan embodiment

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of a pivoting delivery ramp, according toan embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a safety barrier system for a pivotingdelivery ramp, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a pivoting delivery ramp.

FIGS. 19a and 19b are cross-section views of the expanding attachmenthooks in engaged and disengaged orientation respectively.

FIG. 20 is an elevation view of the pivoting structure emphasizing truckfixture components.

While embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pivoting delivery ramp 1 that extendsfrom a truck loading bed 2 to a pivot structure 3, then to a unloadingsurface 6. An upper ramp portion 7 and a lower ramp portion 9 coupletruck loading bed 2 to the pivot structure 3, and the pivot structure 3to the unloading surface 6, respectively. Upper ramp portion 7 couplesto pivot structure 3 at a stationary segment 11. Opposite stationarysegment 11 of the pivot structure 3 is a rotation segment 13 to whichthe lower ramp portion 9 is coupled. Lower ramp portion 9 rests on theunloading surface 6 at the opposite end of the rotation segment 13attachment.

In this embodiment, pivot structure 3 is supported by support structures15 a-15 d (15 c and 15 d not shown). Variable length support structures15 a-15 d are attached to the underside of the pivot structure 3 andextend downward to the unloading surface 6 or other supporting surfacebelow the pivoting structure 3. The variable length support structures15 a-15 d can accommodate various terrains inherent in unloading surface6 as well as various support heights 17, as shown in FIG. 2. Variablelength support structures 15 a and 15 c attach to stationary segment 11and variable length support structures 15 b and 15 d attach to rotationsegment 13. The variable length support structures 15 a-15 d attach torotation segment 13 and stationary segment 11 such that pivot structure3 is supported by variable length support structures 15 a-15 d. Thevariable length support structures 15 a-15 d can either detach or foldflat in a compact manner when not in use, in embodiments.

Upper ramp portion 7 also includes a truck engagement lip 20, inembodiments as shown in FIG. 2. Truck engagement lip 20 provides agraduated transition plane between upper ramp portion 7 and truckloading bed 2 as well as establishes structural fixation from upper rampportion 7 to truck loading bed 2. Truck engagement lip 20 couples toupper ramp portion 7 via lip hinge 22, which provides angular freedomidentified as truck lip angle θ1, which represents the angle betweentruck engagement lip 20 and upper ramp portion 7. The upper ramp portion7 further couples to the stationary segment 11 via upper pivot hinge 24to provide angular freedom identified as upper pivot angle θ2, whichrepresents the angle between upper ramp portion 7 and stationary segment11. In this embodiment, truck lip angle θ1 and upper pivot angle θ2 areequal to each other when both truck loading bed 2 and pivot structure 3are flat. The lower ramp portion 9 further couples to the rotationsegment 13 via lower pivot hinge 29 to provide angular freedomidentified as lower pivot angle θ3, which represents the angle betweenlower ramp portion 9 and rotation segment 13. Lower ramp portion 9 alsoincludes floor lip 26. Floor lip 26 similarly couples to lower rampportion 9 via lower lip hinge 28, which provides angular freedomidentified as floor lip angle θ4, which represents the angle betweenfloor lip 26 and lower ramp portion 9. Lip hinge 22, pivot hinge 24,lower lip hinge 28, and lower pivot hinge 29 allow pivoting of deliveryramp 1 to adjust to various truck loading bed 2 heights whilemaintaining a desired slope at each ramp segment. Specifically, it canbe advantageous for pivot structure 3 to operate on a substantially flatplane to ensure ramp stability and user safety. The freedom of angularmotion of truck lip angle θ1, upper pivot angle θ2, lower pivot angleθ3, and floor lip angle θ4 enable pivot structure 3 to operate on agenerally flat plane assuming that both truck loading bed 2 andunloading surface 6 are also on a generally flat plane.

Angle locks 30 a and 30 b, shown in FIG. 1, enable upper pivot angle θ2to be fixed for added stability. In embodiments, angle locks 30 a and 30b are structurally fixed to either end of stationary segment 11. Anglelocks 30 a and 30 b engage with upper ramp portion 7 at variouslocations depending on the upper pivot angle θ2. Angle locks 30 c and 30d, of FIG. 1, enable lower pivot angle θ3 to be fixed for addedstability. Angle locks 30 c and 30 d are structurally fixed to eitherend of rotation segment 13, in embodiments. Angle locks 30 c and 30 dengage with lower ramp portion 9 at various locations depending on thepreferred lower pivot angle θ3.

The pivot structure 3 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 comprises theintersection of the rotation segment 13 and the stationary segment 11.Stationary segment 11 includes an upper symmetric disk 40 (not shown inFIG. 3) and a lower symmetric disk 42. The upper symmetric disk 40 andthe lower symmetric disk 42 are fixed together by bolts 43 or weldmentsuch that inner spool wall 44 is formed. Prior to fixation of uppersymmetric disk 40 and lower symmetric disk 42, pivot extrusion 46 ofrotation segment 13 is placed at the intersection of upper symmetricdisk 40 and lower symmetric disk 42 such that pivot extrusion 46 is freeto rotate around the inner spool wall 44. Prior to fixation of uppersymmetric disk 40 and lower symmetric disk 42, stationary segment 11 isplaced between upper symmetric disk 40 and the lower symmetric disk 42and fixed together by bolts 43 or weldment. In this embodiment rotationsegment 13 and stationary segment 11 concentrically rotate about eachother. This embodiment is a simple and durable pivoting platform that iseasy to manufacture and requires low maintenance.

In a variant embodiment shown in FIG. 5, upper symmetric disk 40 andlower symmetric disk 42 meet to create inner bearing race 48. Innerconcentric wall 50 of pivot extrusion 46 then serves as outer bearingrace 49. The inner bearing race 48 and the inner concentric wall 50together hold ball bearing components (not shown in this view) andtherefore rotate in relation to each other. Bearing race 48 may alsoform a flat surface creating the inner drum (not shown in this view) ofa plain bearing. In this embodiment rotation segment 13 and stationarysegment 11 concentrically rotate about each other. This pivot structure3 embodiment can provide easier operation due to the lowered frictionforces of bearing enabled rotation.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, upper ramp portion 7 extends directlyfrom the truck loading bed 2 to pivot structure 3 maintaining unifiedplane 51. In an alternative embodiment, upper ramp portion 7 and truckengagement lip 20 are integrated into stationary segment 11 to form onerigid element. Unified plane 51 lies in the same plane as truck loadingbed 2. Lower ramp portion 9 then extends from the truck loading bed 2directly to the unloading surface 6 within unified plane 51. Variablelength support structure 16 attaches to pivot structure 3 to providecantilever support. In alternative embodiments, two or more supportstructures could be used. This embodiment offers advantages relative tothe dual stage pivoting ramp shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in both ease ofstorage and performance. Incorporating both upper ramp portion 7 andpivot structure 3 into unified plane 51 creates one continuous rampdescent, embodied by lower ramp portion 9, which is advantageous formaintaining stability and momentum of heavier loads. Further, thisimproved embodiment eliminates the need for lip hinge 22, upper pivothinge 24, and angle locks 30 a and 30 b because of the plane unity amongupper ramp portion 7, pivot structure 3, and truck loading bed 2.

FIG. 7 shows the same embodiment of FIG. 6, but as shown in FIG. 7,pivoting delivery ramp 1 is arranged in such a way that rotationsegments 13 and stationary segments 11 are rotated about 110 degrees toeach other. FIG. 7 shows the adjustability of pivoting delivery ramp 1,and virtually any degree of rotation, in either direction, is possible.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show an embodiment of pivot structure 3 that enablesrotational locking of the rotation segment 13 and stationary segment 11.Here, inner concentric wall 50 has multiple holes 54 associated withvarious desired lock positions. Upper symmetric disk 40 and lowersymmetric disk 42 (not shown in FIG. 8) then house lock rod 52 a andlock rod 52 b and allow lock rod 52 a and lock rod 52 b to engage withthe various holes of inner concentric wall 50 effectively lockingpivoting delivery ramp 1 in a desired orientation. This lockingembodiment of pivot structure 3 can provide greater structural integrityand safety while maintaining the advantageous axial rotation ofnon-locking embodiments of pivot structure 3.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the pivot structure 3 supportingstructures. In this embodiment, the pivot structure 3 ground support canbe provided by folding cross supports 60 a and 60 b. Folding crosssupports 60 a and 60 b attach to the underside of pivot structure 3 atsupport hinges 62 a and 62 b. Support hinges 62 a and 62 b allow foldingcross supports 60 a and 60 b to lie flat against the underside of pivotstructure 3 when pivoting delivery ramp 1 is not in use. Intersectionlock 64 is a quick release fixation device that is located at theintersection of folding cross supports 60 a and 60 b. When pivotingdelivery ramp 1 is in operational mode, intersection lock 64 engageswith folding cross supports 60 a and 60 b and fixes them together whenthe desired support height 17 is reached. It follows that the desiredsupport height 17 is directly related to the location where the userdecides to fix intersection lock 64 on folding cross supports 60 a and60 b. In operation, intersection lock 64 is designed to allow motion inone direction and engage locking function in the other and is orientedin a manner that allows an increase of support height 17 but thenrestricts the decrease in height unless manually unlocked by the user.In another embodiment, the ground support can be provided by foldingcross supports.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of pivot structure 3 where the pivotingaction is accomplished by pivot plate section 70. Pivot plate section 70comprises a plurality of pivot plates 72. The pivot plates 72 aresequentially connected. A pivot joint 74 is located at the intersectionof upper ramp portion 7 and one end of the pivot plate section 70. Apivot joint 74 is also located at the intersection of lower ramp portion9 and the other end of the pivot plate section 70, and between eachpivot plate 72 within pivot plate section 70. Each pivot joint 74provides a small amount of angular motion θ5. In sum, the angularmotions θ5 create the cumulative range of motion represented by apivoting range of motion θ6. Note that the pivoting range of motion θ6is related to the angular motion θ5 in that the pivoting range of motionθ6 is equal to 180 degrees less the summation of all angular motions θ5present in the pivot plate section 70. This pivoting section embodimentprovides a less expensive alternative to other embodiments due to itssimple components yet still provides rotational adjustability of otherembodiments of pivot structure 3.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment that decouples upper rampportion 7 and lower ramp portion 9. The upper ramp portion 7 nowutilizes a stationary slot deck 80 at the second end opposite the firstend which engages truck delivery bed 2. Stationary slot deck 80comprises a flat platform with a circular array 82 of slots 84 that arelocated on the outer perimeter of stationary slot deck 80. Two pegs 86 aand 86 b are located at the first end of lower ramp portion 7. The spacebetween pegs 86 a and 86 b is equal to the distance between twosequentially located slots 84 on stationary slot deck 80. Thisembodiment of pivoting delivery ramp 1 trades the ease at which the usercan rotate aforementioned embodiments of the pivoting delivery ramp 1for a less expensive, very low maintenance version. For illustrativepurposes, one possible procedure of operation would entail the user tofirst set in place the upper ramp portion 7, then move lower rampportion 9 into the desired position. Then the user would line up pegs 86a and 86 b of lower ramp portion 9 with two slots 84 of the circulararray 82 that are associated with the desired lower ramp portion 9position. The user can then lower pegs 86 a and 86 b into the desiredtwo slots 84 effectively securing lower ramp portion 9 in a desiredposition in relation to upper ramp portion 7.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the pivoting structure 3comprises four main flat segments, in the lowest cost embodiment. Inthis embodiment, the pivot structure 3 comprises a spacer disk 90, whichis coupled to stationary segment 11 on one side and lock disc 92 theother side. Fixation can be provided by a plurality of bolts 43 couplingstationary segment 11, spacer disc 90, and lock disc 92. Pivot opening94 of rotation segment 13, in this embodiment, fully encapsulates spacerdisc 90 and functionally rotates about spacer disk 90 providing pivotingmovement of rotation segment 13 and lower ramp portion 9 with respect tostationary segment 11 and truck loading bed 2 (not shown in thisembodiment). In this embodiment, spacer disc 90 is designed to have aspacer thickness 96 that is always greater than rotation segmentthickness 98 of rotation segment 13 to ensure that there is freemovement of rotation segment 13 with respect to stationary segment 11.Similarly, spacer disc 90 is designed to have a spacer diameter 100 thatis always less than pivot opening diameter 104 of pivot opening 94.Lower ramp portion 9 attaches to rotation segment 13 via lower pivothinge 29.

Note that in this embodiment, variable length support structure 16 canbe attached to lock disc 92, stationary segment 11, or some other nonpivoting entity of the embodiment. If attached to any pivoting entity ofthe embodiment, variable length support structure 16 would have atendency to buckle when pivoting the rotation segment 13 due totransverse motion. Transverse motion due to pivoting could be accountedfor, however, if distal end of variable length support structure 16 issupported by a low-friction or rolling device to interface withunloading surface 6.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show, in greater detail, the locking mechanism 106of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13. When the pivoting delivery ramp 1 isin operation and lower ramp portion 9 is resting on the unloadingsurface 6 (not shown in this embodiment), lock shaft 108 is engaged in adesired detent 110 of lock disc 92. When lower ramp portion 9 is beingadjusted to a desired position, the action of lifting the end of lowerramp portion 9 pulls lock shaft 108 out of the detent 110, enablingrotation between stationary segment 11 and rotation segment 13. As lowerramp portion 9 rotates about lower pivot hinge 29 when lower rampportion 9 is being lifted or lowered by the user, connecting wire 112transmits the rotational motion into the horizontal motion needed toactuate lock shaft 108 in and out of the detents 110 of lock disc 92. Inother embodiments, connecting wire 112 may be traced through a camsystem or similar in order to increase the magnitude of the horizontalmotion transferred from the rotation about lower pivot hinge 29. Toensure a locking bias, spring 114 provides continuous spring force onlock shaft 108 at lock shaft shoulder 116 in the direction in which thelock shaft 108 engages with detent 110. In this embodiment, pivotallocking is provided by a mechanism that engages and disengages by meansof the user's action of lifting the lower ramp portion 9. Lockingmechanism 106 is advantageous in that this action is an inherent andrequired action already necessary in the function of pivoting deliveryramp 1, thus providing a critical locking benefit with no extra useractivity. However, if costs are prohibitive, this locking mechanism caneasily be operated by hand. The locking mechanism could be fullyshrouded, as shown in FIG. 16, to protect the mechanism from theelements.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a safety barrier system 118. In thepivoting delivery ramp 1 and conventional ramps, people or products canfall off the sides during operation and a safety device can beimplemented to guard against this danger. A rigid wall is utilized forthis reason in conventional ramps, but a rigid wall would hinder thepivoting function of the pivoting structure 3. To solve this issue, thesafety barrier system 118 includes two barrier posts 120, which clampdirectly to the side of the pivoting structure 3 and the side of thelower ramp portion 9, respectively. Once fixed to the ramp at thepredetermined locations, a retractable belt 122 is secured between thetwo barrier posts 120. The retractable belt 122 acts as a ramp pathboundary to aid in keeping the user and delivery material on the ramp.The safety barrier system 118 could be removable to aide in compactstorage.

In some embodiments, truck engagement lip 20, upper ramp portion 7 orstationary segment 11 provides for direct fixation to standard hookrecesses found on conventional truck loading beds. However, inembodiments where a torsion moment is created about the upper fixationpoints of the variable length support structures 16 during use, thetruck engagement lip 20, upper ramp portion 7 or stationary segment 11tends to lift upward disengaging from the standard hook recesses oftruck loading bed 2. Therefore, additional fixation is needed beyond themeans conventionally seen in ramp attachment hooks. FIG. 18, FIG. 19aand FIG. 19b show one embodiment of the truck engagement lip 20 furtherincorporating expanding hook 130 in engaged and disengaged orientation,respectively. Note that in this embodiment, upper ramp portion 7 iseliminated in favor of a stationary segment 11 that extends directly tothe truck loading bed 2 and couples to the truck via truck engagementlip 20. Expanding hook 130 incorporates hook wedge 132 such that hookwedge 132 allows expanding hook 130 to freely enter a standard hookrecess 134 of truck loading bed 2. Once the expanding hook 130 entersthe standard hook recess 134 and clears recess lower edge 136, hookwedge 132 automatically expands via spring force (not shown in thisembodiment). Hook wedge 132 then creates a positive mechanical stop suchthat expanding hook 130 cannot exit the standard hook recess 134 withoutdisengaging mechanism (not shown in this embodiment) which overrides theaforementioned spring force and retracts hook wedge 132.

Alternatively, or in addition to, expanding hook 130, truck bed fastener140, shown in FIG. 20, accomplishes the same goal of eliminating upwarddisengagement of truck engagement lip 20, stationary segment 11, orupper ramp portion 7. Truck bed fastener 140 couples, at one end, tostationary segment 11 at ramp fastener attachment point 142 locatedbetween the points where truck engagement lip 20 couples to stationarysegment 11 and where variable length support structure 16 couples tostationary segment 11. In any alternative embodiment, the ramp fastenerattachment point 142 can be located such that, in operation, it providesan equal and opposite torsion moment to any torsion moment created byloading lower ramp portion 9. At the opposite end of truck bed fastener140, a truck fastener attachment point 144 couples to any structurallysuitable point on a truck. Truck bed fastener 140 could be configured tocouple to a conventional and standardized truck structure or,alternatively or in addition to, truck bed fastener 140 could providefor fixation to various types of attachment points on a truck.

Skid way portions of the pivoting delivery ramp 1 described herein canincorporate basic safety features of conventional loading ramps. Theskid way is defined as any flat section of a ramp that the user directlywalks on and/or moves cargo on. In embodiments, skid way portions of thepivoting delivery ramp 1 can incorporate high friction surfaces. Thesehigh friction surfaces might include a grit finish, grit paper, ribs,diamond plate, or other various anti-slip features. The skid ways wouldalso have side structures, such as side ribs, to ensure that the cargostays within the confines of the skid way and does not fall off thesides. Some embodiments can collapse and either slide into an integratedtrack in the truck or fit in the cargo area using as little space aspossible.

Various embodiments of systems, devices and methods have been describedherein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be appreciated,moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have beendescribed may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additionalembodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes,configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use withdisclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilizedwithout exceeding the scope of the invention.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that theinvention may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individualembodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are notmeant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the variousfeatures of the invention may be combined. Accordingly, the embodimentsare not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, theinvention can comprise a combination of different individual featuresselected from different individual embodiments, as understood by personsof ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respectto one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when notdescribed in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. Although adependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination withone or more other claims, other embodiments can also include acombination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each otherdependent claim or a combination of one or more features with otherdependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed hereinunless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.Furthermore, it is intended also to include features of a claim in anyother independent claim even if this claim is not directly madedependent to the independent claim.

Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such thatno subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicitdisclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above isfurther limited such that no claims included in the documents areincorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference ofdocuments above is yet further limited such that any definitionsprovided in the documents are not incorporated by reference hereinunless expressly included herein.

For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it isexpressly intended that the provisions of Section 112(f) of 35 U.S.C.are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “stepfor” are recited in a claim.

1. A ramp device comprising: a first ramp portion including: a firstcoupler arranged at a first end of the first ramp element and configuredto be coupleable to a structure; a hinge arranged at a second end of thefirst ramp element, the second end being opposite from the first end ofthe first ramp element, the hinge having a first axis of rotation; asecond ramp element including a third coupler arranged at a first end ofthe second ramp element, the third coupler having a second axis ofrotation that is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation,the first end of the second ramp element being opposite a second end ofthe second ramp element that is configured to be supported by adjacentsurface; and a pivoting structure including: a stationary segmentmechanically coupled to the first ramp element by the hinge; and arotation segment mechanically coupled to the second ramp element by thethird coupler, wherein the stationary segment and the rotation segmentare rotatable about a third axis of rotation, which is orthogonal to thefirst axis.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting structurefurther comprises at least one variable length ground support structure.3. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting structure furthercomprises at least one rotational locking structure.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the first coupler further comprises: a truck engagementlip that couples to the truck and includes a lip hinge comprising anaxis of rotation of the lip hinge is substantially orthogonal to thethird axis of rotation.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinge ofthe first ramp element further comprises an upper pivot hinge comprisingan axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the third axis ofrotation, wherein the upper pivot hinge comprises angle locks.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the third coupler of the second ramp elementfurther comprises a lower pivot hinge including an axis of rotationsubstantially orthogonal to the third axis of rotation, wherein thelower pivot hinge includes angle locks.
 7. A truck with a ramp devicecomprising: a loading bed configured to engage with the truck; a rampsection including: a first ramp portion including: a first couplerarranged at a first end of the first ramp element and configured to becoupleable to the truck; a hinge arranged at a second end of the firstramp element, the second end being opposite from the first end of thefirst ramp element, the hinge having a first axis of rotation; a secondramp element including a third coupler arranged at a first end of thesecond ramp element, the third coupler having a second axis of rotationthat is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, the firstend of the second ramp element being opposite a second end of the secondramp element that is configured to be supported by adjacent surface; anda pivoting structure including: a stationary segment mechanicallycoupled to the first ramp element by the hinge; and a rotation segmentmechanically coupled to the second ramp element by the third coupler,wherein the stationary segment and the rotation segment are rotatableabout a third axis of rotation, which is orthogonal to the first axis.8. The device of claim 7, wherein the pivoting structure furthercomprises at least one variable length ground support structures.
 9. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the pivoting structure further comprises atleast one rotational locking structures.
 10. The device of claim 7,wherein the first coupler of the first ramp element further comprises atruck engagement lip that couples to the truck and includes a lip hingecomprising an axis of rotation of the lip hinge is substantiallyorthogonal to the third axis of rotation.
 11. The device of claim 7,wherein the hinge of the first ramp element further comprises an upperpivot hinge comprising an axis of rotation substantially orthogonal tothe third axis of rotation, wherein the upper pivot hinge comprisesangle locks.
 12. The device of claim 7, wherein the third coupler of thesecond ramp element further comprises a lower pivot hinge comprising anaxis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the third axis of rotation,wherein the lower pivot hinge comprises angle locks.
 13. A device foruse with a truck, the device comprising: a pivoting structure including:a stationary segment having a first end configured to be mechanicallycoupled to the truck; and a rotatable segment mechanically coupled tothe stationary segment at a second end of the stationary segment androtatable about the stationary segment at a first axis; and a rampcomprising a coupler connecting a first end of the ramp and the rotationsegment, the coupler comprising a second axis of rotation that issubstantially orthogonal to the first axis.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein the pivoting structure further comprises a plurality of variablelength ground support structures.
 15. The device of claim 13, whereinthe pivoting structure further comprises a plurality of rotationallocking structures.
 16. The device of claim 13, wherein the coupler ofthe first end of the ramp element further comprises a hinge having anaxis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of thepivoting structure and wherein the hinge includes angle locks.
 17. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein a removable safety siding attaches tovarious locations of the pivoting structure at one end and to variouslocations of the ramp element at the other end.